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(No Model.) I

. W. LA BANISTER.

BOOT OR'SHOE. No. 354,555. Patented Dec. 21, 1886.

Iain/es: :6.

@ms/fam UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM LA BANISTER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- A HALF TO JOHN A. WIECK, OF SAME PLACE.

BOOT'OR SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 354,555. dated December 21, 1886. Application filed October 23, 1886. Serial No. 211,003. (No model.)

- same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is aside elevation of a boot or shoe embodying my improvement, the same being I 5 represented as unlaced; Fig. 2, a like view representing the boot or shoe laced, and Fig;

3 a horizontal section taken on line xx in Fig. 2. Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in thedifferent figures of the drawings.

My invention relates more especially to means for lacing or fastening the boot or shoe; and it consists in certain novel details of con struction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed, the

object being to produce a more desirable device of this character than is now in ordinary use.

The nature and operation of the improve- 0 merit will be readily understood by all conversant with such matters from the following explanation.

In the drawings, A represents the sole, B the quarter, Othe vamp, and D the leg, of the 5 boot or shoe.

A row or series of buttons, E, are inserted in the flap z of the leg near its edge, the eyes at of the buttons protruding on the under side of the flap, as shown in Fig. l. Secured 40 to the opposite flap, f, by the stitches t there ,is a-flattened tube of leather, 9, having a series of notches, 1), cut in its inner edge,which open into its interior. This tube is arranged diagonally on the leg D, or in such a manner that 4 5 its upper end, i, is farther from the placket or opening it of the leg than its lower end, 3', thereby permitting the outer flap, z, to overlap the inner flap, f, when the boot or shoe is laced. A lacing-cord, H, is inserted in the eyes m of the buttons E, said cord being carried through or inserted in a ring, 6, between each pair of buttons. The cord is also inserted in alternate sections of the tube 1*, and between each pair of the openings or notches o is in serted in said rings. The notches o are considerably larger than is necessary to receive the cord, being also adapted to receive the eyes on of the buttons and the rings 1) when the boot or shoe is laced, and thus prevent said eyes and rings from injuring the foot of the wearer or preventing the flap zfrom being drawn down closely onto the flap f. In the use of my improvement it will be obvious that the boot or shoe may be laced by drawing on the ends of the cord H until the rings 1) and eyes on are drawn into the notches c, after which the cords may be tied, as shown at k in Fig. 2.

It will be obvious that the number of the notches should correspond with the number of eyes and rings combined, thus providing a notch for a ring between those for either pair of buttons.

It will also be obvious that the boot or shoe possesses all of the advantages of a laced boot and presents the appearance of a buttoned boot.

Having thus explained my invention, what I claim is I 1. A boot or shoe the flap of which is provided at one side of the placket or lace-opening with a notched tube secured thereto, the opposite flap being provided with a series of buttons having eyes which project through the same, in combination with a lacing-cord inserted in said eyes and tube, and in a series of rings interposed between said buttons and tube, substantially as described.

2. A boot or shoe having one of its flaps provided with a notched tube secured thereto, and the other with a series of holes for buttons having eyes, said eyes and tube being adapted to receive a lacing-cord, substantially as set forth.

3. In a boot or shoe, the buttons E, notched tube 9", rings 1), and lacing-cord H, in combination with the leg D, substantially as described.

WILLIAM LA BANISTER.

Witnesses:

O. M. SHAW, E. L. SAWYER. 

